Barcelona’s quest to sign 18-year-old Egyptian wizard breaks down – here’s why | OneFootball

Earlier in the month, it was reported that Barcelona were on their way to sign Hamza Abdelkarim, who is regarded as one of the most gifted young footballers in North Africa.

Currently plying his trade for Al Ahly, Abdelkarim was expected to join the Barça Atletic setup that has been rocked by the news of Dro’s departure as well as injuries for several offensive players.

In Egypt, his arrival in Barcelona was considered a done deal, with reports suggesting the player was already sorting out bureaucratic details to travel. However, the operation has hit a significant snag and has cooled down considerably.

The Contract Stumbling Block

According to Diario SPORT, the deal, which was structured as a loan potentially worth up to €10 million if performance variables were met, collapsed over a contract dispute.

It appears Al Ahly refused to sanction the loan unless Abdelkarim signed a three-year contract extension.

Hamza Abdelkarim is regarded as one of the best talents in Egypt. (Picture credit: Instagram/@hamzabdelkarim)

The Egyptian giants were protecting their asset; Abdelkarim’s current deal expires in 2027, and without an extension, he would return from a potential loan with just one year remaining, significantly reducing his transfer value.

The player’s father reportedly rejected this condition, fearing it would strip them of any leverage over his future career path.

The clearest sign that the move is off is the player’s return to domestic action. After being kept on ice during negotiations, Abdelkarim has reintegrated into the Al Ahly squad, recently playing the full 90 minutes in a League Cup match against El Gaish.

With the Egyptian wizard seemingly out of reach, Barcelona have already pivoted. The club are now reportedly finalising a move for Joaquin Delgado to fill the void in the reserve team’s attack.